Thomas J. DeGenaro, 87 of Williams Township PA, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, October 18, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.

Thomas was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1934 to Angelo and Mary (Pollando) DeGenaro. His family lived on the second floor of a two family home and it was there that he met the love of his life, Antonetta (Lavoro) DeGenaro, whose family lived on the floor below. They began dating when Tom returned from the Navy and were wed in 1959 and were married for 62 years.

In 1954, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he trained and served as an electrician. He served aboard the USS Hancock until he was honorably discharged in 1956.

In 1960, Thomas began working for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as an electrician. He eventually rose to become a principal electrical engineer. During his 30 year career, amongst many notable achievements, he designed the power distribution system for the World Trade Center, the electrical systems for the runway lighting at Newark and Kennedy Airports, and the electrical control system for the flag which flies over the George Washington Bridge to this day.

Throughout his life, Thomas was active in many service and community organizations. He was a former member of the Jaycees where he served as president, he was elected Vice President of the Long Hill Township Board of Education, and an active member of the Shade Tree Commision in Long Hill Township and the Italian American Club. He was particularly interested in helping young people and was a long time Boy Scout leader of Troop 59 in Long Hill Township and a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for juveniles in the Morris County court system.

Thomas was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved spending time in nature and being able to identify different species of trees. He also enjoyed traveling and mastering the Italian language. He was a trained blacksmith and was a skilled carpenter. He relished making projects with his grandchildren, and especially enjoyed building large backyard bonfires with them over the Christmas holidays. Most of all, Thomas was a good man who touched many lives. He will be greatly missed.

In addition to his wife, Thomas is survived by his three children Mary Angelo (Tom), Thomas DeGenaro, and Natalie Goldberg (Jay); ten  grandchildren, Tommy, Jenna, Johnny, Sara, Halle, Matthew, Lauren, Zachary, Marco and Aden; and one great grandchild, Marigold and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister, Adeline DeFronzo and is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Andrew DeGenaro.